Frank also suggested that it would be a good plan to row over the racing course occasionally, and see what sort of time they could make.
"We'll have some of the fellows clock us," Jack said, "and we can get a line on what we can do. I know we've got to hit up the stroke if we're to beat Waterside, but we're capable of it."
"Sure!" agreed Andy with much enthusiasm. "We'll do those fellows easy. Say, I've thought up another joke to play."
"Not on your life!" cried the others in a chorus, while Frank added:
"If I catch you trying any of your tricks, brother mine, while this race is in prospect I'll pack you back home so quick that your hair will curl."
"Well, you needn't eat me up," complained Andy; but it was noticed that he did not mention jokes again for some time.
To the surprise and delight of the lads Ed Wallace agreed to coach them, though he said he had been out of the game so long that he was quite rusty. But when the crew went out in the shell, and listened to his caustic, but well-meant criticisms, it was seen that he knew his business.
"He'll put some starch into us," declared Frank, and the post-graduate student certainly did.
After he had given them some instructions on successive days they had marked off a three-mile course—the length of the interscholastic race. The Riverview lads rowed over this several times.
At first it was discouraging, as they could not come anywhere near equaling the record they knew had been made by Waterside. But they did not give up.